Stopping Galaxy top priority for Hackworth's Union

After losing three days ago on a goal set up by a foul he called "questionable," John Hackworth has to wonder what his priorities are.

The Union so desperately need a victory tonight to continue progressing out of the far reaches of the Eastern Conference table. They also need to score more than the one goal they managed over the weekend at Houston, the 12th time in 14 matches they've been held to one or fewer tallies.

To eke out a win at the L.A. Galaxy (10:30 p.m., CSN), it might require a little defense from Hackworth's crew. The defending MLS Cup champions have scored three goals in each of their three last league matches.

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So which vehicle to a victory takes priority -- offense or defense?

"To not let them score three goals against us," Hackworth said.

Sounds simple enough, and it could be for the Union (3-9-2, 11 points). Not only do they have Sheanon Williams at their disposal -- the All-Star-caliber right back having one match under his belt since missing three weeks with a broken toe -- Hackworth's club also will have rookie Ray Gaddis, who missed Saturday's loss to the Dynamo due to a one-game suspension.

The ability to create the appropriate defensive alignment against the Galaxy (6-9-2, 17 points) should favor the Union. It never hurts that L.A. midfielder David Beckham will sit out the match with a one-game suspension on yellow-card accumulation.

Still, the Galaxy are a fierce bunch with which to match up.

"Any time you have to deal with Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane at the same time, you're going to have your hands full," said Hackworth, whose team has been on the road for the last five days. "That's going to be a handful. But you also have Mike Magee, one of those guys in this league who is fantastic and makes sure he contributes. (They have) a number of guys who can contribute."

The topsy-turvy Union offense, which has looked renewed of late, will have Jack McInerney making a return to the lineup. The 19-year-old striker, who has scored three goals in his last two matches, watched Saturday's match while battling the stomach flu.

The Union could use a win, if only to feel as though this road trip wasn't an entirely lost cause. They failed to pick up a draw at Houston, fouling the Dynamo's Brian Ching in the box in the 82nd minute, leading to a penalty-kick goal from Ching that sent the Union to defeat.

Salvaging a point at LA would bode well for Hackworth's troops as they play the fourth of nine games in a 27-day stretch.